Gear-adjusting mechanism.



PATENTBD JUNE 25, 1907.

A. J. BENTON. V GEAR ADJUSTING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION TILED NOV. 14, 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT orruon.

ANDREW J. BENTON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO LANSTON MONOTYPE MACHINE COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENN- SYLVANIA, ACORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

GEAR-ADJUSTING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 1907.

Application filed November 14, 1905. Serial No. 287,291.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ANDREW J. BENTON, a

- citizen of the United States, residing at the sists, essentially, ofmeans for adjusting or manipulating the unit-wheel when necessary toplace said wheel and the related registering mechanisms in any desiredposition, the said means performing this function without other effortthan releasing the unit-wheel pawl by depressing the restoring-key andthen pressing upon and turning the thumb or finger piece in eitherdirection.

The Lanston monotype keyboard is so constructed that the operator isenabled to make a single justification, or to so perforate the paperfilm or record-strip as to cause a change in the size of the spaces tobe cast, as many times as is desired in any one line, the length of saidline being determined by striking first one and then two of thejustifying-keys (called double justification), which causes the castertotrip onto the galley the completed line. The operation of making ajustification carries the unit-wheel forward the number of teethrepresented by the number of units registered by the justifying-keysstruck. In matter where the operator desires to make one or more changesin the sizes of the spaces cast -as, for instance, in tabular mattercontaining a number of reading columns-the unit-wheel must in eachinstance be restored to the position which it occupied previous to beingmoved by the operation of justifying before the keyboard is operated toperforate the paper film or record-strip to produce the neXt column. Thereturn of the unit-wheel to the desired position also automaticallyrestores the emscale pointer to a corresponding position and lowers thejustifying-scale pointer to zero or non-indicating position. As atpresent manipulated, the operator grasps the unit-wheel between thethumb and forefinger of the left hand, depresses the restoring-key withthe fingers of the right hand, and then moves the unit-wheel the desirednumber of teeth in either direction.

The adjustment of the unit-wheel in the above-described manner involves,first, soiling the fingers by contact with the dirt and oil whichinvariably collects on movable mechanical parts; second, danger ofbruising or lacerating the fingers, and, third, the attempts necessaryfor perfect adjustment of the unit-wheel by an inexperienced operator orone not required to make this adjustment frequently enough to maintainthat digital skill necessary for instantaneous and perfect adjustment orwhose hands by reason of 7 coldness or nervousness are in the slightestdegree unsteady. My invention removes all these objections and rendersthe manipulation of the unit-wheel both rapid and accurate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation ofone of the preferred forms of my invention arranged for engaging theunit-wheel of a Lanston monotype keyboard and showing in dotted linesthe position assumed when in operative contact with said wheel, theportion to which it is attached and the justifying-scale pointer beingalso shown in dotted lines; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the device,illustrating one means of securing the sliding frame to the base-piece.Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device, showing-the top portion of awellknown form of clamp, the contour of the frame, and the extensions orprojections for affording bearing for the gearing. Fig. 4 is across-section on the lines 4 4, Fig. 3, lookin in the direction of thearrow.

Similar reference-numerals designate like parts in all the views.

1 is an attaching-clamp of well-known character, a projecting portion ofwhich is bent at right angles for connection with the base-piece 2.

2 is the base-piece upon which the frame 6 is a bevel-gear connectedwith and driving gear 7 or other suitable mechanism.

7 is an auxiliary bevel-gear meshing with gear 6 and adapted for drivinggear 8 or other suitable mechanism.

7, 7 and 7" are extensions of or projecti ons from the frame 3 andaffording bearings for gears 6, 7, and 8.

8 is an auxiliary gear fast on the shaft of gear 7.

9 is a spiral spring for holding the device in its normal or inoperativeposition.

I have illustrated and described gear 6 as a bevel gear for the purposesof the adjustable device shown, and I have also designated gears 7 and 8as auxiliary bevel gear and auxiliary gear, respectively, for the samereason. As described below, these gears 7 and 8 may be dispensed withwithout in any manner limiting my invention, and it is my desire to benot'limited to the use of the type of gears 6, 7, and 8, the specificform of frame shown and described, nor the use of a sliding frame.

I have illustrated and described a sliding frame for the purpose ofenabling the device to be maintained in an inoperative position, thisbeing the most simple and convenient form for adjusting this device tomechanisms already in use. Where the device is to be constructed andmaintained as an integral part of the mechanism to be operated it ispreferable where the gearing to be contacted can withstand the slightadditional friction that the gearing of my device be maintained inconstant contact with the mechanism to be operated, thus eliminating thenecessity for the spring or other means for maintaining the device outof operative contact and removing the necessity for a sliding orotherwise movable construction.

l/Vhen intended for permanent attachment or constant contact with thegear to be operated, itis only necessary to utilize a single gear-wheelat one end of the operating rod or shaft. This gear-wheel would in thisinstance be in mesh with the teeth of the gear to be operated, or, morepreferably, with a bevel or other gear attached to or cast integral withthe gearing which it is intended to manipulate or control.

WVithout departing from the principle herein set forth, the device canbe arranged to offset the gears in the opposite direction to the formshown and described for the purpose of .extending from behind the j ustifyingscale pointer of a Lanston monotype key board, the direction ofapplication or slight changes in the form of my invention not affectingthe integrity of the principles claimed by me. For instance, while Ihave illustrated and described one form of device and indicated othermethods of construction and operation of devices for producing the sameresult, I do not desire to be limited to these specific forms, but toall mechanisms for adjusting or manipulating gearing which is operatedor manipulated by the turning of a rod or shaft and the consequentadjustment of one or more gear-wheels with and the operation of othergear-wheels which are not operated by the regular operation of themechanism to which it is applied.

When it is desired to adjust the units wheel finger piece 5 is graspedand pressed until auxiliary gear 8 enters the teeth of the units wheel,after which the restoring key is operated thereby withdrawing theholding pawl from the units wheel and releasing the latter so that itcan be advanced or retracted the number of teeth desired by the rotationof thumb wheel 5. When the adjustment has been made the restoring key isreleased before pressure is taken ofi the thumb wheel, thereby retainingthe parts in position until reengaged by the holding pawl of theescapement devices.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination with the units wheel of a monotype keyboard, of anadjusting device such as described including a gear wheel movable intoand out of engagement with said units wheel and provided with actuatingdevices for controlling both the rotation and advance of said wheel.

2. In a monotype keyboard and in combi nation with the units wheelthereof, an adjusting device for said units wheel comprising a gearmovable toward and from the units wheel, a supporting frame for saidgear movable in hearings on the main frame, and an actuating shaftextending in the direction of motion of said supporting frame andcoupled with said gear for reciprocating and rotating the latter.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW J. BENTON Witnesses F. H. VVAITE. J. W. MOCI-IESNEY.

